When was antananarivo founded

In short, the city, known as Tana, offers its visitors a wide range of fine eating, shopping, shopping options. The city is also the center of Analamanga. Located at an altitude of 1, meters, the city is located in the middle of the island. Madagascar was founded in by King Andrianjaka. Even before becoming one of the colonial cities of the French Empire , it became a big city.

During the reign of the Kingdom of Imerina, Antananarivo became the capital. After the death of King Andriamasinavalona in , Imerina was divided into four regions and became the capital of the southern region of Antananarivo. Andrianampoinimerina, king of the last Ambohimanga, successfully conquered Antananarivo in and ended the civil war, bringing the provinces of Imerina together. After World War II , the city expanded rapidly. Like many urban centers, Antananarivo suffers from urban blight and poor sanitation.

Do you find this information helpful? A small donation would help us keep this accessible to all. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone! Wade, E. After independence in , the city started to swell further, and the growing pains associated with its increasing population culminated in political unrest in It still faces huge challenges — corruption and the lingering political uncertainty — that continue to hold it back, much to the frustration of its people.

Today, the city remains the seat of power, where international organisations, businesses and money mingle, making it unlike anywhere else in Madagascar. It stands out for its relative if isolated areas of wealth and cosmopolitan facilities, and is very much the heart of the action on the island. Constructed at the city's highest point, it towers above Antananarivo and stands in stark contrast to the more modest neighbourhoods that cling to the hillside below.

Buildings at the Rova have come and gone since the early s. Sadly, many of the original wooden structures that had survived from the 19th century were destroyed by a devastating fire in Thankfully, the imposing stone building, erected by Scottish missionary James Cameron in , remains intact.

The story continues at the nearby Andafiavaratra Palace , where the small museum showcases select artefacts and paintings depicting Merina rule, many of which were rescued from the fire. This free museum details archaeological sites around Madagascar and showcases ancient finds. Antananarivo was founded c. In it was made the fixed residence of the Merina rulers.

The conquests of the Merina king Radama I reigned —28 made Antananarivo the capital of almost all Madagascar. The city was captured by the French in and incorporated into their Madagascar protectorate.